GAME REPORT: DUCKS 4, COYOTES 2

FIRST PERIOD: COYOTES 0, MIGHTY DUCKS 2

* IN REVIEW: White noise arrived in Anaheim for the first time, an acoustic accompaniment for the Mighty Ducks’ playoff debut. Fans were handed out white “Fowl Towels,” and there were two reasons to wave them--Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. The pair have been the leaders all season and Wednesday was no different as the Ducks took a 2-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.

Saves: Anaheim--Guy Hebert 14, Phoenix--Nikolai Khabibulin, 6.

* SCORING: Ducks 1, Phoenix 0: Selanne scores his first of the playoffs on a quick flick from a sharp angle below the left circle, surprising Khabibulin at the 8:57 mark with four seconds left on a five-on-three advantage.

Ducks 2, Phoenix 0: Kariya scores on a controversial goal, which was upheld on review, at 16:04, coming off a shot from the high right slot.

* KEY PLAYS: Duck defense held late in the period when Phoenix had a five-on-three advantage for 1:11 when Jarri Kurri went off for high sticking at 11:38 and Dan Trebil for high sticking at 12:27. Phoenix managed only one shot with the two-man advantage.

SECOND PERIOD: COYOTES 2, MIGHTY DUCKS 3

* IN REVIEW: The Coyotes seized the momentum from the start of the period to get back in the game, boosted by center Cliff Ronning, who set up both goals. Selanne, though, remained the game’s pivotal player with his second goal, putting the Ducks ahead, 3-1. But the Coyotes cut the lead to one goal by finally converting on the power play after going 0 for 4.

Saves: Hebert, 8; Khabibulin, 9.

* SCORING: Ducks 2, Phoenix 1: Jeremy Roenick ends the Coyotes’ scoreless drought at the 1:27 mark. Ronning’s shot from above the left circle deflects off Roenick, who was tied up in front with Duck defenseman Bobby Dollas.

Ducks 3, Phoenix 1: Selanne scores his second of the game, taking the puck at the blue line with a quick burst of speed and beating Khabibulin with a shot from above the right circle at 14:15, the puck glancing off the goalie’s right leg.

Ducks 3, Phoenix 2: Keith Tkachuk deflects defenseman Teppo Numminen’s shot from the blue line on the power play at 16:48, pulling the Coyotes within one.

* KEY PLAYS: Until late in the period, Tkachuk had little impact on the game. But with 4:26 remaining, he took a lead pass and tried to beat Hebert between the pads. Hebert made the save, but Duck defenseman Dan Trebil took a slashing penalty on Tkachuk and Tkachuk scored on the ensuing power play.

FINAL: COYOTES 2, MIGHTY DUCKS 3

* IN REVIEW: The Ducks play their familiar methodical third-period style, looking to capitalize on a Coyote mistake. The Ducks catch a break when referee Paul Devorski whistles Phoenix defenseman Jeff Finley for holding Mark Janssens during a goal-mouth scramble midway through the period. The Ducks buzz the net, but can’t increase the lead. If nothing else, it gives Hebert a two-minute break from the Coyotes’ pressure. The Ducks continue to think defense first, trapping in the neutral zone to help keep the Coyotes from attacking from close range. Kariya seals the deal with his second goal.

Saves: Hebert 7, Khabibulin 10.

* SCORING: Ducks 4, Phoenix 2--Kariya gets his second of the game when he’s awarded a goal after Oleg Tverdovsky is penalized for pulling him down from behind on a breakaway with the Phoenix net empty with 46.7 seconds left.

* KEY PLAYS: Khabibulin squeezes his pads together to stop Kariya on a fast-developing two-on-one with Selanne. Selanne gets dragged down by a Phoenix defender and complains bitterly to Devorski. A moment later, Warren Rychel sends a bad-angle shot through the crease. Khabibulin steers it out of trouble. . . . With less than five minutes left in regulation, Hebert stops Tkachuk’s slap shot from the slot, but Devorski blows the play dead before the Coyotes’ Mike Gartner can punch in the rebound. . . .Khabibulin leaves the net for extra attacker with 1:03 left.